{"id":14000,"date":"2026-02-16T17:12:44","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T17:12:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=14000"},"modified":"2026-02-16T17:12:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T17:12:44","slug":"its-woke-ism-cancel-culture-on-steroids-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=14000","title":{"rendered":"‘It’s Woke-Ism Cancel Culture on Steroids’ \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chris Aceto is shedding light on the latest controversy around the 2026 Arnold Classic. On Feb. 9, 2026, he called out fans who have demanded Hadi Choopan\u2019s removal, calling their actions \u2018woke-ism cancel culture on steroids.\u2019\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Political unrest and protests<\/a> have ravaged Choopan\u2019s home country of Iran. Some fans claim Choopan supports the current regime. They\u2019ve gone as far as to tag Arnold Schwarzenegger <\/a>ahead of the Arnold Classic, pleading for his removal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the tensions, Choopan affirmed his entry with a recent physique update<\/a>. He also touched on the hostility he\u2019s witnessed online, stressing, \u201cNo one, not even my close friends, could defend me. They couldn\u2019t tell me the truth. I was silenced. I became the loneliest person on earth. Unjustly, without reason, without guilt, without mistake. I am an athlete. I am not a politician.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest has come to Choopan\u2019s defense<\/a>. He insisted that the Open star could choose to live anywhere in the world and owes no one anything. With the Arnold Classic<\/a> less than a month away, Aceto discussed what lies ahead for Choopan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Get Fitter, Faster<\/em><\/h3>\n

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Chris Aceto Talks Hadi Choopan Fan Backlash Ahead of 2026 Arnold Classic\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the post, Aceto discussed Choopan\u2019s prep progress, pointing out that he might be playing catch-up against Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe looks freaky,\u201d shared Aceto. \u201cWhen Andrew has a photo, and it\u2019s like endless hype, right? You don\u2019t want to get left behind on the hype train,\u201d he said. \u201cHe looks incredible. I think he looks stage-ready.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was second at the Olympia and didn\u2019t win it, then the year before, he was second at the Olympia, so he feels like he\u2019s got to play catch-up. That\u2019s the psychology of it. He probably doesn\u2019t believe in the idea of hype, but hype is real.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Aceto addressed the angry fanbase calling for Choopan to be removed from the roster:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe idea that his supposed fans would tag Arnold, and tell Arnold, you got to keep this guy out. We don\u2019t like the way he thinks. We don\u2019t like his opinions or his thoughts.<\/p>\n

We used to like him from the neck down, the body, but now we hate him because we don\u2019t like what\u2019s in his head from the neck up. Therefore, don\u2019t let him compete in the competition, where you judge from the neck down.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He believes Choopan has become a victim of cancel culture on steroids.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s woke-ism cancel culture on steroids,\u201d he adds<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bodybuilding veteran Shawn Ray also opened up on Choopan\u2019s latest struggles. He argued that Choopan might be distracted<\/a>, given the fan backlash and the current state of Iran.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think it would be the most distracting of all competitions for him to participate in, knowing the family and friends, and the relationships he has going on back in Iran, which is a country under siege, at war, and the unpredictability of training, dieting, and leaving your family, basically to make life-changing money.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Arnold Classic will award $750,000<\/a> to its Open champion, the highest purse in bodybuilding history. The event is set for March 5-8 in Columbus, OH.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Lee Priest Says Nick Walker\u2019s Best Days Aren\u2019t Behind Him, Argues He Could Beat Hadi Choopan at 2026 Arnold Classic<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle \u2013 Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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Chris Aceto is shedding light on the latest controversy around the 2026 Arnold Classic. On Feb. 9, 2026, he called out fans who have demanded Hadi Choopan\u2019s removal, calling their actions \u2018woke-ism cancel culture on steroids.\u2019\u00a0 Political unrest and protests have ravaged Choopan\u2019s home country of Iran. Some fans claim Choopan supports the current regime. 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